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CAPS United are hoping to successfully negotiate to retain the services of goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube who had a splendid season on a short-term deal this year with the Green Machine. Dube agreed to join the Makepekepe on loan for one-year after he was surprisingly dumped by FC Platinum at the beginning of the season with a year remaining in his contract.
The move to Harare, however, appeared to be a blessing in disguise for the former Dynamos and Gunners goalminder who rekindled his career in a big way.
He helped Makepekepe reach the semi-finals of the Mbada Diamonds Cup and secure a fifth-place finish in the league marathon.
Dube is now out of contract and should be pondering his next move.
CAPS United chief executive, Joe Makuvire, yesterday said the Green Machine has not yet started discussing contracts but their aim was to retain all the players for next season to continue with their rebuilding efforts.
Makuvire, however, was not prepared to talk about individuals in their squad and said most of the players at the club have long-term contracts.
“Dube was probably the only player we had on short loan. He is a great goalkeeper and I think he did very well. Most of the players we had have long-term contracts,” said Makuvire.
Dube had an outstanding season between the posts and being ably deputised by Joram Muchambo.
His form also attracted the new Warriors coach Ian Gorowa to call him for national team duty for the Cosafa Cup senior tournament and the Africa Nations Championships qualifiers.
Makepekepe had a decent season under coaches Taurai Mangwiro, Saul Chaminuka and Brenna Msiska who worked with the goalkeepers.
They finished fifth, just five points behind champions Dynamos.
Makuvire said they were aiming at retaining the bulk of the players on their books for next year as they hope to continue from where they left off in the just-ended season.
“We had a very good squad, a big squad and a lot of Under-20 players, which we hope to invest our time, money and energies in to ensure that there is continuity.
“What we want is continuity because this year we embarked on a rebuilding process and we wouldn’t want to disturb the flow.
“So it’s most likely that we will not be very active on the market. We will build on what we have and if there is need we will then add one or two because like any other team we face financial limitations.
“But at the moment we are not yet talking about next season yet because we are not participating in any of the Caf inter-club competitions, which begin earlier than our league programme.
“Our players need some time to rest and probably early January, depending on the coaches’ training program, we should get things moving. Right now there are some critical issues we have to work on first,” said Makuvire.
Sources revealed at the weekend that four CAPS United players — Tawanda Nyamandwe, Tendai Samanja, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Dube — could be poached by How Mine who want to strengthen their team ahead of their participation in the Caf Confederation Cup.
While CAPS United have a bigger profile, they don’t offer the financial security that How Mine guarantees the players and, in this age and era where loyalty to the brand is very scarce, the smaller teams, with bigger pockets, are flexing their muscles and winning big battles.
Zvirekwi, who said he will reveal where his future lies, is also being courted by CAPS United’s bitter rivals Dynamos.
The Warriors midfielder was his club’s best player this season.
Online Reporter